The purpose of this study is to identify the maximum tolerated dosage of sodium phenylbutyrate in children with spinal muscular atrophy type I; and to determine if the drug has an effect on SMN mRNA and protein levels.

Cohorts of 3 subjects were to be enrolled sequentially in escalating dosage levels. The first three subjects enrolled at 500 mg/kg/day for the duration of the study drug period. The dosage of the next cohort was determined by the Modified Continual Re-assessment Method (MCRM) approach and approval of the Study Monitoring Committee (SMC). The MCRM calculation could indicate that additional subjects should be enrolled at the same dosage or a higher dosage.

Drug: sodium phenylbutyrate

500 mg/kg/day, depending upon tolerability subsequent dosages may increase to 675, 900, or 1200 mg/kg/day to identify maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and then an additional 6 participants will enroll at the MTD.

Detailed Description:

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic, neuromuscular disorder caused by progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord, which results from the loss of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. The disorder is characterized by weakness and wasting of the voluntary muscles and is a leading cause of hereditary infant death. Sodium phenylbutyrate—a drug used to treat urea cycle disorders—may increase the amount of SMN protein in the body and consequently may decrease the severity of SMA. However, this has not yet been proven.

In this multicenter trial, physicians will evaluate multiple dosage levels of sodium phenylbutyrate to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), or the highest dose that can be safely given to children with SMA type I. The initial dosage tested will be 500 mg/kg/day. Depending upon tolerability, subsequent groups may receive dosages of 675, 900, or 1200 mg/kg/day. Blood levels of SMN mRNA and protein will also be measured to determine whether sodium phenylbutyrate can increase the amount of these two biomarkers in the blood. Up to 24 children will be enrolled in the study, and will be on sodium phenylbutyrate for 12 weeks. The MTD will be determined based on safety data from Day 0 through the Day 29 visit. Participants will continue to be monitored for safety and SMN mRNA and protein levels through the 12 week study drug administration period.

Potential participants will be screened by having their complete medical and treatment histories recorded, as well as undergoing a physical examination, laboratory tests, and an electrocardiogram (EKG). Parents of eligible participants will receive a supply of sodium phenylbutyrate and instructions on how to administer the drug. Participants will return to the clinic on days 8, 22, 29, and at weeks 8 and 12 of the study to update their medical and treatment histories, have a physical exam, and have blood and urine collected for laboratory testing. A follow-up clinic visit will occur approximately 14 days after the last dose of sodium phenylbutyrate is given. During this visit participants will update their complete medical and treatment histories and have a physical examination. Duration of the study is about 14 weeks.

Information from this study, which is part of the NINDS Pilot Therapeutics Network (NPTUNE), may be used for future studies to determine if sodium phenylbutyrate is effective for treating SMA, and if the drug has an effect on SMA symptoms.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

2 Months to 48 Months (Child)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Subjects must meet all of the following inclusion criteria within 14 days prior to receiving the first dose of study drug.

Weakness and hypotonia consistent with a clinical diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I

Laboratory documentation of homozygous absence of SMN1 exon 7

Older than two months of age, but younger than 48 months of age, at the time of enrollment. If the subject is older than 24 months of age at the time of enrollment, the subject must require ventilatory support for at least 6 hours/day.

Any adverse event ≥ Grade 3 at the time of screening based on the protocol toxicity grading table

Any acute co-morbid condition interfering with the well-being of the subject within 7 days of enrollment including bacterial infection, viral infectious process, food poisoning, temperature > 99.0ºF, need for acute treatment or observation due to any other reason, as judged by the investigator.

≥ Grade 2 vomiting;

≥ Grade 2 liver dysfunction/failure (clinical);

Any abnormality noted on EKG except for asymptomatic sinus arrhythmia

History of allergy/sensitivity to sodium phenylbutyrate

Use of sodium phenylbutyrate within 30 days of study entry

Serious illness requiring systemic treatment and/or hospitalization within 14 days prior to study entry (Subjects are not eligible following serious illness until therapy is complete and the subject is stable, or until the subject is on therapy and stable for at least 14 days.)

Poor respiratory status which is expected to require the initiation of BiPAP during the initial 29 days of drug administration.

Use of medications intended for the treatment of SMA including riluzole, valproic acid, hydroxyurea, oral use of albuterol, sodium phenylbutyrate, butyrate derivatives, creatine, carnitine, growth hormone, anabolic steroids, probenecid, oral or parenteral use of corticosteroids at entry, haloperidol, agents anticipated to increase or decrease muscle strength or agents with known or presumed histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition within 30 days prior to study entry.

Notes: Subjects who use a nebulizer or require an inhaler to receive albuterol will be allowed in the study; however oral use of albuterol is prohibited. Topical use of steroids will be allowed. Oral use of steroids is not allowed at entry, but these may be used as clinically indicated while on study. Event grading will be based on the toxicity-grading table in the protocol.

Contacts and Locations

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00439218